can i use isopropyl alcohol to clean lcd screen manufacturer

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

It is pretty normal to pause or hesitate when it comes to cleaning electronics. They represent a large investment and there is always some fear that the wrong cleaner will cause serious damage or leave behind something permanently streaky, especially when it comes to screens.

Computer screens represent a special situation, (please see below) but electronics, in general, are not as delicate as you might think. Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol may seem too strong but it is actually better than most cleaning products for maintaining your electronics collection. You just need to know how to use it.

Household rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol is great for cleaning electronics. It kills fungus, bacteria and viruses, including E. coli, S. aureus, and the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. TheCDC recommends a 70% diluted version for disinfecting homes and schools.

It can be convenient when you don’t like the smell or when you have a lot of electronics and only a little rubbing alcohol on hand. Keep in mind, though, that when it is diluted more than 50%, its effectiveness drops. If you are cleaning a computer in a crowded office you do not want the germ-killing power watered down.

It is important to distinguish isopropyl alcohol from ethyl alcohol. Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol is what you want for cleaning electronics. Ethyl alcohol is the type found in alcoholic beverages like vodka and in some cleaning products. It does not evaporate as fast and can leave an oily residue.

Almost everything on your computer, television and phone can be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol just fine. Sometimes the anti-glare designs of some computer screens can be a bit delicate. Check manufacturer instructions the first time you clean any screen to make sure you get the right chemical.

It’s best not to spray rubbing alcohol or any kind of cleaner onto a screen or any other part of your electronics. There is a slight chance of the mist getting into speakers, keyboards or other crannies, which could impact performance. Pour some rubbing alcohol onto a cloth or cotton ball and use that to clean instead.

Paper towels might have been fine for old televisions with their glass screens but they do not work on modern screens. They can leave tiny scratches and residue.

Glass cleaners are formulated for windows and mirrors. Also, they don’t kill germs. Rubbing alcohol does. If you are cleaning a computer in an office during flu season you know how important this is.

If you are very focused on killing germs, it may seem like a Clorox wipe would work just fine. On many computer brands, it is OK to use those pre-moistened wipes (Apple says it is fine for almost all of their devices), but there are brands that can be damaged by Clorox wipes.

This has a very high alcohol concentration so it will kill germs easily and dry quickly. It is well regarded and will work perfectly with a cotton ball or microfiber cloth.

Angie Parkinson is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

Screens, especially touchscreens, collect a lot of dirt, grease and hair. This means that periodic cleaning is something we all have to and should do.

Now, plenty of people get away with wiping a smartphone screen against their t-shirt or pants or using a sleeve to clean a laptop display, but this is not the best way and can itself damage the display.

Do a quick search on the internet, and you"ll find that isopropyl alcohol is the weapon of choice in cleaning displays. This is true, but if used incorrectly, this chemical can also damage the display.

The big DON"T of using isopropyl alcohol is this -- don"t pour or even spray isopropyl alcohol on your display. If you put too much isopropyl alcohol on a screen, damage can occur in two ways:The isopropyl alcohol can seep between the layers of the display, completely ruining it and requiring the device to have a replacement screen fitted

Apple has, naturally, published detailed information on safely cleaning a whole range of products, from notebooks to tablets to smartphones. While this is aimed at Apple users, the information applies to other brands too.

This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

It is pretty normal to pause or hesitate when it comes to cleaning electronics. They represent a large investment and there is always some fear that the wrong cleaner will cause serious damage or leave behind something permanently streaky, especially when it comes to screens.

Computer screens represent a special situation, (please see below) but electronics, in general, are not as delicate as you might think. Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol may seem too strong but it is actually better than most cleaning products for maintaining your electronics collection. You just need to know how to use it.

Household rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol is great for cleaning electronics. It kills fungus, bacteria and viruses, including E. coli, S. aureus, and the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. TheCDC recommends a 70% diluted version for disinfecting homes and schools.

It can be convenient when you don’t like the smell or when you have a lot of electronics and only a little rubbing alcohol on hand. Keep in mind, though, that when it is diluted more than 50%, its effectiveness drops. If you are cleaning a computer in a crowded office you do not want the germ-killing power watered down.

It is important to distinguish isopropyl alcohol from ethyl alcohol. Isopropyl or rubbing alcohol is what you want for cleaning electronics. Ethyl alcohol is the type found in alcoholic beverages like vodka and in some cleaning products. It does not evaporate as fast and can leave an oily residue.

Almost everything on your computer, television and phone can be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol just fine. Sometimes the anti-glare designs of some computer screens can be a bit delicate. Check manufacturer instructions the first time you clean any screen to make sure you get the right chemical.

It’s best not to spray rubbing alcohol or any kind of cleaner onto a screen or any other part of your electronics. There is a slight chance of the mist getting into speakers, keyboards or other crannies, which could impact performance. Pour some rubbing alcohol onto a cloth or cotton ball and use that to clean instead.

Paper towels might have been fine for old televisions with their glass screens but they do not work on modern screens. They can leave tiny scratches and residue.

Glass cleaners are formulated for windows and mirrors. Also, they don’t kill germs. Rubbing alcohol does. If you are cleaning a computer in an office during flu season you know how important this is.

If you are very focused on killing germs, it may seem like a Clorox wipe would work just fine. On many computer brands, it is OK to use those pre-moistened wipes (Apple says it is fine for almost all of their devices), but there are brands that can be damaged by Clorox wipes.

This has a very high alcohol concentration so it will kill germs easily and dry quickly. It is well regarded and will work perfectly with a cotton ball or microfiber cloth.

Angie Parkinson is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.

It is always best to follow manufacturer’s suggestions for product care, but generally it is safe to clean an LCD screen using a very soft, 100% cotton cloth, and a mixture of distilled water and clear vinegar. If you prefer buying ready-made products, LCD cleaners are available from electronics shops in spray bottles.

While it might be tempting to use an old tee shirt for a cotton cloth, the seams can potentially scratch the screen. Flannel is the recommended material, and you can visit a fabric shop and buy a yard (0.9 meters) of 100% untreated cotton flannel for very little money. By purchasing this amount of fabric, you’ll be able to cut new cloths when the old one gets dirty. Microfiber cloth is also a good choice.

While many people use isopropyl alcohol in a 50/50 solution with distilled water, some manufacturers warn against this. If you are inclined to use isopropyl rather than vinegar, check with the manufacturer’s website of your LCD product to be sure this is acceptable. Many store-bought LCD cleaners contain isopropyl, and it is generally considered safe and effective.

Otherwise, a 50/50 solution of distilled water and white vinegar can be combined in a spray bottle. Avoid using a bottle that had previous cleaners or agents in it — a new spray bottle can be purchased at the grocery store. Choose a sprayer that is capable of a fine mist.

Cut a piece of cloth large enough to fold into a nice square pad that is a few layers thick. Spray your 50/50 solution on to the surface of the cloth, lightly dampening it. Be sure the cloth isn"t so wet that it will drip down the screen. Do not spray the solution directly on to the LCD screen.

Before you clean an LCD screen, power it off to avoid potential damage. Take your cloth and gently wipe the surface from top to bottom, moving downward in a straight line. When you reach the bottom lift the cloth away and place it at the top again to proceed. Use a very light touch, as pressing against the screen could damage its pixels.

Do not move the cloth in a circular motion to rub out fingerprints or smudges. The solution will do the trick. If you have to cover an area twice, wait until its dry, then repeat the process. The vinegar should cut through any dirt or body oils deposited on the screen. By following this simple procedure, your screen should stay clear and unblemished.

Never use paper towels, napkins, or tissues to clean an LCD screen. These materials will either scratch the screen or leave debris. Household cleaners and ammonia should also be avoided, as they can leave a white cast, ruining the screen’s finish.

Coronavirus has brought proper disinfecting practices into the spotlight. But keeping high-touch surfaces like your laptop, keyboard, and mouse clean and disinfected is a good practice all year round.

Don’t think cleaning your computer is important? Think again. Your keyboard alone could be hosting more bacteria than a toilet seat – 400 times more, in fact.

While you should always check your computer manufacturer’s specific cleaning and disinfecting directions, in general, these tips will help you keep your PC and laptop surfaces germ-free.

DON’T spray a cleaning agent directly on your computer’s surface. Spray your cleaner onto a cloth first and then gently wipe the cloth over the surface.

Hold your keyboard at a 75-degree angle while spraying compressed air at it to ensure the dislodged debris doesn’t just resettle somewhere else on your keyboard.

Dip your microfiber cloth (or a large cotton swab) into your rubbing alcohol. Wring it out to prevent drips. Gently wipe down your keyboard with the alcohol and allow it to air dry.

The same instructions apply for laptop touchpads. Simply turn off your laptop and swipe a clean microfiber cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol across the touchpad, and let it air dry.

Like the OP, I"ve always used a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. Just now, I seem to have damaged the screen of my (Late 2013) MacBook Pro Retina by cleaning it with this mixture and a microfibre cloth.

There is a coating on the screen that has rubbed off in a patch about a quarter inch wide and two inches long. It"s very noticeable, but luckily it"s on the bezel rather than the screen proper. I"ll probably live with it, as a repair would probably involve replacing the whole screen. ($$$$)

This was possibly the third or fourth time that I"ve used this mixture to clean this screen in the few months that I"ve owned this machine. It"s really annoying to find that the most expensive laptop I"ve ever bought has a screen that can be so easily damaged, using a cleaner that I"ve seen recommended lots of times on the web and which has worked well for me in the past.

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One only requires a computer screen cleaning solution such as rubbing alcohol and a microfiber cloth to clean the screen. But the cleaner depends on the type of the screen, i.e., if LED LCD or non-LCD screen. Also, be careful not to use excessive moisture and abrasive cloth.

Even though it is a good idea to get rid of the dirt in your monitor, it is sometimes not safe. There arepotential issues with using wipes that aren’t meant for cleaning computer screens. Below are the possible instances that may cause problems to your monitor:

The wipes may contain components that leave a residue when the liquid dries up. For example, wipes used on human skin tend to have lotions, while those meant to clean household items contain some soaps, which leave streaks on the screen.

The wipes may contain too much liquid that is not sufficiently volatile. This liquid could then drip into the internal parts of the machine and cause damages. And may pose a danger to the person cleaning.

Commercial computer screen cleaning wipes are typically a piece of non-woven lint-free moistened with a highly volatile liquid such as rubbing alcohol.

Also, the sort of pre-moistened wipes meant for cleaning eyeglasses, dry-erase boards, wipe windows tend to do a similar job as the ones used for cleaning computer screens.

You can clean your screen with alcohol if it is made of plastic. However, it would be best if you watched out for the amount of moisture in the wipes. They tend to get wetter as you use them, but you can squeeze the liquid out until you remain with the proper amount of moisture. Also, watch out for the plastic that surrounds the screen.

Alcohol is a mild solvent; it is a less powerful solvent than water. But it has one advantage over water as alcohol can liquify grease and oil, which are the common causes of smears on the displays of electronic devices.

Don’t use pure alcohol to clean, though. A homemade mix of 7 parts of isopropyl alcohol and 3 parts of distilled water make the best cleaning agents of screens at home and are the cheapest and easiest to use.

Althoughalcohol might be a decent option to clean your screen, most new display screens have coatings that don’t react well with alcohol-based or ammonia-based detergents. Hence, in these instances, you should hold off using alcohol on your computer screen.

You are wondering how to clean your computer screen without causing any damages to it? Firstly, you don’t need to be a tech expert to understand that any liquid getting into the machine’s hardware means trouble. Hence, be careful not to let any liquid get behind the screen. Because of this, consider avoiding liquid sprays.

There are different types of screens, and depending on the screen,the cleaning options may vary. It is critical to clean your specific computer screen since the active components in cleaning products can cause irreversible harm in the form of scratches and streaks if done incorrectly.

If you have a computer with an LCD screen, you should avoid using disinfecting wipes as the active ingredients available in Clorox and Lysol wipes could damage the screen.

Chemicals or any solution containing acetone, ammonia, ethyl alcohol, ethyl acid, toluene, or methyl chloride can damage your computer screen. It’s best to avoid these kinds of cleaners as they may leave a glare-causing film.

Don’t bother using soap as well. Some soap varieties have ingredients that are known to affect LCD screens. A dry, non-abrasive microfiber cloth should do a better job.

There are several factors to consider while cleaning a PC or a Mac screen. There are many computer and monitor models from which to choose. However, displays are often either LED with LCD (liquid-crystal display) pixels or a Non-LCD glass-coated surface.

Cleaning chemicals are more likely to harm LCD screens. But because people commonly clean PCs, there are prodycrs developed to safely clean them. Be careful not to damage its surface or any of the LED elements and make sure to read the ingredients of the formula to ensure it’s right for your screen.

Any ammonia-containing cleaning solutions would leave a coating on the screen. As a result, using cleansers free of ammonia, alcohol, and acetone to clean an LCD screen is both safe and effective.

To remove stains, spritz an LCD cleaner onto a microfiber cloth; an inexpensive DIY alternative is distilled water and white vinegar mixed together in a 1:1 ratio. No cleaning alcohol should be used since it can harm the LCD screen!

Your desk at the office is not the most hygienic place, and because of this, computer screens, keyboards, and mice come into contact with germs, microbes, and bacteria, and they need regular cleaning.

Your computer screen requires cleaning at the end of every week. However, you can clean it at any time of the day before the weekends. This will ensure that computer screens are always clean.

Computer screens accumulate smudges and scratches all the time; thus, it is necessary to clean them regularly. Some cleaners are designed to clean screens and are available in online stores and computer stores. However, be careful to check the products to ensure that they don’t have active ingredients that can damage your screen.

If you have no knowledge about your computer screen type, you should refer to the user’s manual or reach out to your device’s manufacturer for assistance. You can contact them through email or on-site support chats.

We"ve all had that moment: You"re sitting at your computer or laptop and the light hits your screen in a way to reveal an unsightly accumulation of streaks, fingerprints, and dust.

To help, we round up the most important things to know about cleaning your computer screen, whether it"s a Mac or PC. While it"s a simple process, there are a few important rules to keep in mind to make sure you"re doing it safely.

Computer screens are not all made the same, and thus can"t all be cleaned the same way. You"ll want to be careful no matter your screen type, but it"s helpful to know that displays come in two categories:Glass-coated screens: The screens on newer iMac displays and MacBooks have a glass overlay. Glass displays are a little less delicate than LCD or LED screens, and mild cleaning solutions, like rubbing alcohol, are generally safe to use on them.

LCD or LED screens:Windows computers and most touchscreens and matte displays are typically not coated in glass. Extra care should be taken with these screens so not to damage the pixels that make up the display.

Since there are so many computers, laptops, and monitors out there, each with their own set of variables and specificities, it"s smart to just simply err on the side of caution.

To clean a computer screen, you really just need two things: A microfiber cloth and filtered or distilled water. That"s to say you don"t need a special store-bought cleaning solution.

If you"d like some extra sanitation power, an equal parts mixture of water and vinegar is safe no matter your screen type. If you know that your display is glass-coated, you can also use an equal parts mixture of water and 70% rubbing alcohol.What you needTwo lint-free microfiber cloths

d3sign/Getty ImagesTurn the computer or laptop off.For safety reasons, begin by letting the device cool down completely. Dust, fingerprints, and smudges are also easier to spot on a black screen.

Wipe off dust with a dry cloth. Use a dry, lint-free microfiber cloth to gently wipe away any visible dust and dirt. If necessary, apply gentle pressure to remove surface-level smudges.

If any marks remain, wipe with a lightly moistened cloth.For glass-coated screens, you can use a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar or rubbing alcohol. For LED or LCD screens, use only water. Spray or lightly dab the solution directly onto the cloth and carefully wipe the screen from left to right.

Buff with a dry cloth and air-dry.If any streaks remain once the screen dries, gently buff them with the dry cloth. Before you turn your computer or laptop back on, allow the screen to dry completely.Note:Apple claims that you can use 70% isopropyl disinfecting wipes to clean any Apple product. Just remember not to get any liquid into the device"s ports or openings — to avoid this, you might want to wring out the wipe to remove any excess liquid before using it.

For the best advice for cleaning your screen, it"s a smart idea to check your owner"s manual, which provides the manufacturer"s specific recommendations. But since screens are especially susceptible to damage, there are a few general guidelines that apply, no matter the type of screen you own.

Turn off your computer before cleaning the screen. This is just safe practice where any amount of liquid is involved, but more specifically, any static on the screen could create a shock and damage the internal components.

Do not use abrasive cleaning solutions. This includes bleach (or any products containing bleach), hydrogen peroxide, or all-purpose spray cleaners. Using an abrasive cleaner can ruin the finish of your screen.

Use filtered or distilled water. Especially in areas with hard water, water containing minerals like calcium and magnesium can damage your screen or leave even more streaks.

Use only soft microfiber cloths.Even a fabric as soft as a cotton shirt has snags and uneven particles that can scratch a computer screen. For this reason, avoid T-shirts, towels, and paper towels. The exception is the Apple Pro Display XDR or iMac, which requires a special polishing cloth.

Never spray cleaning solution directly onto the screen. To avoid any risk of damage from excess moisture, mist the solution directly onto the microfiber cloth instead.

Do not wipe in circles. Wiping in circles can create uneven pressure and ultimately lead to screen damage. It"s also more likely to create streaking. Wipe in tight, Z-shaped motions, or in broad strokes from side to side.

Do not scrub.Apply gentle pressure only. Hard scrubbing can damage the internal components of the screen and could leave scratches or spots of discoloration or dead pixels that won"t go away.Melanie Weir

Melanie Weir is a freelance author for Insider, mainly focusing on the Tech Reference section, but occasionally contributing to Lifestyle and Entertainment topics as well. She is also a freelance writer for ScreenRant, and is the Lead Weekend News Editor at TheThings.com. In her spare time she writes plays for both stage and screen. She can be reached at melanie.weir1008@gmail.com, or through LinkedIn.

It’s no secret that our electronics are swimming in bacteria. It seems as though new stats comparing your track pad to a toilet seat come out every day and, with so many people working from home, our laptops are only getting more use.

But keeping your laptop clean can be intimidating. After all, you’re putting chemicals to a £1000+ piece of kit. And, how often do you need to clean it?Trusted Reviews has gathered all the info you need on how to clean your laptop safely and effectively.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released guidance on how to take care of your electronics during the Covid-19 outbreak but they’re pretty bare bones.

“Follow manufacturer’s instruction for cleaning and disinfecting. If no guidance, use alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol. Dry surface thoroughly.”

Some companies, such as Dell, have shared their own guidance online. Dell recommends that users wear disposable gloves when disinfecting their laptops and remove batteries from items like wireless keyboards before they begin.

Most companies advise you clean your laptop on a regular basis to help keep germs and dust at bay. It is especially important that you keep an eye out for dust as allowing this to build up over time can actually slow down your laptop in the long run.

You’ll want to avoid using anything harsh – such as glass cleaner – on your laptop display. HP advises not to use rubbing alcohol to clean an LCD screen as this can damage your display. It is always best to consult your manufacturer or manual for a list of products to use or avoid before you get started cleaning your device.

Remember when your LCD or OLED display had that brand-new, fresh-out-of-the-box shine, feel and look? You are in the right place if your display is now due for deep cleaning.

Things to consider before cleaning or handling an electronic displayAvoid static by grounding your body and following proper ESD-safe handling techniques.

A microfiber cloth and distilled water is recommended for cleaning the display glass. Use Qtips and Isopropyl alcohol for cleaning the printed circuit board.

Although distilled water is recommended for wiping the display glass, you can use a cleanser developed explicitly for cleaning displays. However, do not spray it directly onto the display. Spray a tiny amount of the cleaner onto a microfiber cloth first to avoid getting any cleaning solution inside the display.Never spray any liquids directly onto the display.A spray is too hard to control and confine. The fluids can seep into the other display layers or surrounding components and cause irreversible liquid damage.

Only use a microfiber cloth and don"t use chemicals to clean a resistive touchscreen.Disconnect the display from the power supply and remove any screen protectors or liners.

Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is widely used to clean printed circuit boards (PCBs). Use a Q-tip or soft small bristle brush for scrubbing a PCB, and never use a paintbrush.Gently rub a Q-tip in Isopropyl alcohol.

Cleaning soldering residue on LCD with Isopropyl alcohol and a Q-Tip.Cleaning residue around soldering elements is not necessary if Newhaven Display performed the soldering.

Cleaning your electronic display is a simple task. However, it is essential to consider these steps to handle and clean it properly. You should now have a better understanding of what cleaning products are safe to use, how to clean the display screen glass, how to clean touchscreens and how to clean soldering residue.

No matter where LCD screens are kept, they will always need cleaning from time to time. Cleaning an LCD may seem like a daunting task, but there are a few simple ways to clean it without damaging to scratching to surface.

There are many cleaning solutions available in shops. However these may seem a bit expensive and are sometimes quite unnecessary. PixelClean is one of the better and less expensive brands. It is highly recommended. Most products will come with instructions on how to use them.

It is recommended to use a simple alcohol solution to clean an LCD screen. This solution is made up of part distilled water and part 50% isopropyl alcohol. Be warned that isopropyl alcohol is flammable.

50% isopropyl alcohol is very common. If you find 70%, 91%, or 99% isopropyl alcohol, adjust the formula to use less alcohol and more distilled water.

The reason you want this mixture is because alcohol evaporates so quickly. More importantly, it doesn’t leave any residue behind, so the screen will be cleaned without there being any streaks or marks left. You can buy this at your local pharmacy–it’s used for cleaning wounds.

Do NOT use tissues/Kleenex to wipe your screen. That is ineffective, because they will leave little tissue particles all over your screen. You want a 100%-cotton cloth that is soft and absorbent. A t-shirt is a good cloth, but so is a sock or a Turkish towel, so long as it is 100% cotton.

Stay away from cloth that has polyester in it because this can contain stiff filaments. These filaments can scratch the screen while you are rubbing over it. Also stay away from paper towel and tissues. While it might feel soft, remember that it is paper and therefore, it comes from wood. This means that there might be microscopic wood fragments in the paper towel that will scratch your screen if you move it over it. Therefore, avoid anything paper and instead, focus on the cotton.

First dampen the cloth with the alcohol solution. You should never spray any sort of liquid directly onto the screen. You also don’t want to try and clean the screen without some sort of liquid because the dust particle, as it is moved across the screen, will scratch.

Wipe the screen gently from top to bottom or in a counter clockwise direction, and wait for it to dry. You’ll remove all of the dust and the liquid that is on the screen will evaporate quickly. Then, the screen will be clean and scratch free.

Be careful not to let the cleaning solution leak into the sides of the monitor. Also, be certain that you do not press hard on the LCD screen. You can permanently damage an LCD screen by pressing on it too hard.

If there is just dust on your screen, there is no need to fully clean it. To remove dust all that must be done is to wipe it away with a microfiber cloth. Simply wipe your screen from end to end gently with the cloth.

Before you give into your impulses and wipe your screen with whatever you have at hand, let us stop you right there. Your display is way more delicate than you think, and if you want it to last a long time in optimal conditions, you’ll need to treat it with proper love and care.

The good news is that cleaning a computer screen is more simple than you think. You only need a soft cloth, a tiny bit of water, and the most delicate of touches.

As you would expect, not all screens are created equal, and some are more delicate than others. The safest way to figure out the proper care for your screen is to search for the make and model of your device, find out if it has an LCD, LED, or some other type of display, and search for the manufacturer’s instructions on how to care for it.

If you want to skip all that, there’s an easy way to avoid making a mistake that might not only result in irreparable damage to your screen but to your entire device. According to Joe Silverman, owner of New York Computer Help, a tech repair center in New York City, no matter how much money you spent on your computer or tablet, it probably has an LED or an LCD screen if you bought it within the last three years—and neither type benefits from window cleaner or highly concentrated alcohol.

That’s the uppermost layer of your screen, which is extremely sensitive to the acidity in alcohol and in compounds like ammonia or propylene glycol. These are often present in cleaning agents such as window cleaners and degreasers. Using these liquids will corrode the surface of your screen, resulting in scratches or even smudges you won’t be able to get rid of.

“Underneath there it’s the most intelligent part of the laptop,” Silverman explains. “What happens is that the liquid will get through that first line of defense, and when it does that it’s going to really affect the sensors.”

Things get even trickier when you’re dealing with touchscreens. On models like the Microsoft Surface, the display is the main input—as opposed to your mouse or trackpad on a regular laptop—so it’s ultra-sensitive, Silverman says. Using a strong liquid cleaner like a degreaser or a bleach-based disinfectant can obliterate the top layer on the screen. Combine that with high pressure, and you can kiss your fancy touchscreen computer goodbye.

Another downside to newer computers is their size and weight. If you decided to splurge on a new laptop, for example, you probably found one that has top-notch components, but also a slick, lightweight design. This format is only possible if everything in your laptop is smaller and thinner. In the case of your display, a thinner screen means a weaker barrier between your computer’s guts and the elements in the outside world.

Caring for your screen is simple—it only takes a little bit of water and a dust-free cloth, such as a microfiber wipe or the piece of fabric that came with your glasses.

First, turn off your computer and disconnect the charger. This might sound paranoid, but the benefit is twofold—you avoid any chance of triggering an electrical surge, and your screen will remain black, which will make it easier to see any dirt and grime.

Pour a couple drops of water on your cloth. Forget paper towels or the sleeve of that soft cotton t-shirt you love—microfiber is your best bet. Still, no matter how soft it is, a dry wipe could always leave micro-abrasions on your screen. The moisture will also help gather dust and particles while lifting grease from your display.

Use circular motions starting in the center of your screen and moving outward, so you don’t leave any streaks. If you can see any droplets or water traces on the glass while you clean, you’ve used way too much water. Gently dab the residual H2O with an absorbent cloth or tissue paper and start again.

If you’re dealing with next-level gunk, you can use isopropyl alcohol at 70 percent or lower, Silverman says. “That percentage is very important,” he explains. “We’d only use 90 percent or higher on dummy parts that don’t have sensors, like top cases and keyboards.” In these extreme cases, spray the alcohol on the cloth, never directly on the screen, and wipe it gently.

Just like solar damage, screen damage is cumulative. The more pressure you apply, the more abrasive a product you use, and the more often you use it, the greater the damage you’re inflicting on the protective layer of your display and the delicate sensors underneath it.

Maybe you can get away with using a high percentage of alcohol or even a window cleaner on your computer screen once or twice. But if you keep at it, eventually you’ll see the deleterious effects.

“You’ll see discoloration, lines (vertical and horizontal); sometimes it looks pretty and rainbow-like,” Silverman says. “Sometimes it’ll blink and sometimes you’ll see droplets of water or liquid in the back of the screen. There’s a lot of ways in which damage appears.”

The best way to avoid damaging your screen while cleaning it is to simply keep it from getting dirty in the first place. If you have a laptop, cover the keyboard with a thin microfiber cloth before closing it to prevent finger grease from transferring to the screen. If you have a touchscreen, wash your hands often before you use it, but make sure you let your hands dry completely before you start tapping—the soapy water or liquid hand cleanser from your fingers can easily end up on the screen and corrode it.

Wet, newly washed hands can also be detrimental to regular computers. Silverman says he often sees such victims in his shop—computers completely dead after hand sanitizer rubbed off the owner’s hands, seeped through the keyboard, and ruined the inner guts of the machine.

Your phone was designed to be carried, dropped, tapped, swiped, smashed against your face for long periods of time, and stowed in the deepest corners of your bag. In other words, its screen is way more resilient than your computer’s.

Silverman explains that most iPhones and Samsung phones, for example, have screens made out of one thick piece of glass. These, as opposed to computer screens, have all the LCD layers fused together, making them much more difficult to damage. Still, if you’re using alcohol, he recommends keeping the concentration at 70 percent or lower, using a soft cloth, and applying only low pressure to get rid of any accumulated gunk there.

Be especially careful with charging ports, as contact with water (also present in rubbing alcohol) can damage the electronics inside your smartphone. Newer models often are resistant to liquids, but there’s always a threshold to how much they can withstand. And you probably don’t want to know what that is.

Replacing the screen of your computer or smartphone can be expensive, and even if that’s not an issue for you, no one wants their devices to fail when they need them the most. So remember these tips well—we hope you never have to read this article again.

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Q: I have a new LCD television, and I"m not sure how to clean it. With my old tube set, I just spritzed it with Windex, but the surface of my new TV isn"t glass.

A: "We recommend using LCD cleanser that can be purchased at any electronics store," says a customer service tech for Westinghouse, a manufacturer of popular LCD televisions. The cleaner can be found in both spray and wipe form. But what exactly goes into these LCD solutions?

Kai Hui of MG Chemicals, makers of one of many available LCD cleaners, explains, "The main ingredient in most wipes on the market is water. There needs to be a small percentage of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to help get rid of the grease from busy fingers." Some LCD cleaning solutions may include up to 50 percent IPA, according to Hui, but any more than that could damage the screens.

Since I"d never suggest you spend more money than you have to, I"d start with a clean, soft cloth and regular ol" tap water. You can add just a capful of isopropyl alcohol to a glass of water if you need something to help loosen the greasy gunk on the screen, so it can wipe off more easily. Get the cloth damp and then apply to the screen instead of splashing the screen and trying to wipe up the liquid; and always -- always -- use a clean cloth, as tiny, hard particles trapped in the fibers can scratch the surface of your screen.

Isopropyl Alcohol is commonly found as rubbing alcohol in the grocery store, usually in a 70% isopropyl alcohol 30% distilled water mix; there is no need to dilute it when it comes that way. Some stores may sell 100% isopropyl alcohol which should be diluted. Something about the 70/30 mix causes the alcohol to evaporate away in the most efficient manner, so it"s better to do that than a 50/50 mix.

Isopropyl alcohol should be used only when distilled water won"t do the job, because repeated applications can eventually damage more delicate finishes.

Solutions that eyeglasses stores sell to clean glasses should certainly be safe for monitors, for finishes on glasses can be even more delicate. They are a good place to find the microfiber cloths which really are the best material for the job.

Windex and other ammonia-based cleaners should never be used; they WILL ruin your monitor, staining the finish a yellow color that can"t ever be removed.

When it comes to taking care of your computer monitor, you want to make sure you are using the right cleaning products and techniques. One commonly asked question is whether it is possible to clean a monitor with water and a coffee filter. While these items can be used to wipe away dirt and dust, it is important to understand the risks and how to use them safely to protect your monitor from damage. This article will discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of using water and a coffee filter to clean your monitor, as well as the importance of following manufacturer instructions when cleaning your monitor.

If you have simple dustings, use compressed air (the same stuff you use to knock dust out of your case fans), followed by a quick dry wipe down. Microfiber cloths are your best friend when it comes to cleaning.

Surface PC monitors with rubbing alcohol to moisten a microfiber cloth. It is best to use wet towels rather than dripping wet towels. Wipe the moistened cloth in one direction from top to bottom, as directed. The surface should be allowed to dry completely before plugging it back in.

Because coffee filters are lint-free and do not scratch your LCD TV screen, they are the best tool for keeping it clean. After turning off your TV, gently wipe the dry coffee filter across the screen with a sweeping motion to remove any dust from it.

TV screens, in short, act as honey pots for dust, dirt, and finger streaks. A delicate screen is now present on LCD, LED, PLASMA, and OLED TVs. With the advances in technology over the last few decades, it is possible that they will no longer be able to tolerate the hard-to-clean methods used to create CRT glass television screens from the 1960s to the early 2000s. Vaseline, as well as other petroleum jelly brands, may be effective in this case. A scratch on your LCD screen can be a sign that you need to get an lcd scratch repair kit. If your screen is not flat, a dedicated multi-purpose screen cleaner or wipe is ideal.

It is critical to maintain your TV in good condition, but it is also critical to use the proper cleaning products in order not to damage your expensive electronics. If you’re cleaning your TV, make sure you have a soft, dry microfiber cloth or an electrostatic duster like a Swiffer or a GH Seal. A pre-moistened wipe designed specifically for electronics will remove the stubborn residue if you find a stubborn residue. If you use a baby wipe, the residue left behind on an LED TV screen can be permanently damaged. Finally, to remove dust that may have accumulated in the vents, clean the TV’s buttons and back. This will ensure that your television stays looking good and functioning properly.

If you want to clean the frame or screen of your TV in general, a soft, clean, lint-free, dry cloth is recommended. Microfiber cloths are the best. It is never a good idea to use window cleaner, soap, scouring powder, or any other solvents containing alcohol, benzene, ammonia, or paint thinner.

It is not recommended to use white vinegar to clean a TV screen, despite its ability to clean a television. It is a corrosive liquid that can scratch the delicate surface of a television screen. Damage to the anti-reflective and anti-glare coating, for example, can cause irreversible damage to the image. Caviness is another concern because vinegar can cause streaks and discolored patches on the surface. Vinegar can permanently etch the surface of the screen, resulting in a foggy, distorted image. You should avoid using vinegar while cleaning your TV screen as a result. Instead, clean the floor with a dry microfiber cloth or a soft cloth dampened with distilled water to remove dust and dirt. It is possible to remove tough stains with a few drops of mild detergent and warm water. You should always use a clean cloth after cleaning your screen, and avoid using chemicals or abrasive materials. It is critical to invest the time necessary to ensure that your TV screen is in good condition for many years to come.

If you still have streaks or stains on the microfiber cloth, wash it with distilled water and wring it out until it is almost dry. Wipe the cloth across the screen vigorously in broad motion with very little pressure until you reach the bottom of the screen.

If you want to clean your monitor, make sure you’re using a soft microfiber cloth and distilled or still water. Mineral deposits on the surface of the screen can occur in other types of water.

Cleaning fluids specifically designed for computer monitors are available on the market. The most common method for cleaning monitors is to use distilled water, which can also be combined with white vinegar to remove stubborn stains. Keep paper towels, rags, old T-shirts, and any other commonly used cleaning tools away from your home. There are gentle cleaning fluids designed specifically for monitors, but distilled water works well as well as the others. Tap water contains minerals and other substances that can damage the screen or cause streaks to appear. Water should be liberally sprayed with white vinegar to deal with the most stubborn of grime. It is critical to avoid spilling it on your laptop.

In terms of cleaning LCD screens, there are several steps you should take to ensure their safety and proper maintenance. Remove any dust from the screen with a microfiber cloth before beginning. If you have fingerprints or are experiencing smudges, spray 70% isopropyl alcohol onto a cloth, or use a pre-moistened alcohol wipe or a Clorox Disinfecting Wipe to clean non-porous surfaces, such as the screen, without bleach. If stains persist, you can gently clean the screen with distilled water and lightly dampen the cloth. To avoid wetting the screen, spray the cleaning solution on the cloth and wipe it clean of any excess liquid. Windex should only be used as a cleaner if your laptop’s screen is glass. It is never a good idea to direct-paint a computer display, as this may lead to oversaturating of the pixels or component failures if water leaks into the set’s inner workings.

It is critical to unplug your device before turning it off. Once the dust has been removed, you can start cleaning your screen with a microfiber cloth. It is safe to use 70% isopropyl alcohol, or spray it onto a cloth or a pre-moistened alcohol wipe, to clean non-porous surfaces such as screens without using bleach, and it does not harm your skin.

If your monitor becomes covered in grime, your productivity and health will suffer. There are several steps you must take to keep your LCD screens clean and happy. We’ll show you how to clean laptop screen frames without scratching or damaging them. Finally, we discover which commercial cleaning kits are well worth the money and effort you put into them. The best way to clean car windshields is with glass cleaner spray, but it will melt LCD monitors’ coatings. Pinchers and cotton swabs can be used to clean the crevices around buttons and other difficult-to-reach places. As a result, you should never use tap water to clean your home because mineral deposits may accumulate.

Ethic alcohol or rubbing alcohol are not suitable for cleaning computer monitor screens. Instead, we’ve made a fantastic DIY screen cleaner recipe using diluted vinegar that you can make at home. This recipe will also work for cleaning dirty eyeglasses if you are looking for a simple and easy way to do so. When you scratch your monitor on a regular basis, it may appear dull; however, if it scratches significantly, it may appear damaged. Using petroleum jelly to remove small scratches is an effective way to do so. If you use petroleum jelly on your scuff marks, you will be permanently discoloring them. When you’re finished with your monitors, they’ll look great in showrooms.

A gentle abrasive in baking soda helps to remove small scratches without causing too much damage to the surrounding surface. Before using this fix on large areas, it is critical to test it on a small area. Our guide will walk you through the most effective methods for cleaning your computer monitor’s screen to make it look brand new once more.

You should never use Windex to clean a monitor. The material is made of glass, but it can be harsh for delicate computer screens. Furthermore, eyeglass cleaners should be avoided because they will not disinfect the screen. When cleaning the screen, use a dry cloth that will remove particles and germs. It is also important to note that window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasive cleaners, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide should not be used on the screen. Furthermore, do not use the cleaning product directly on the screen, as it may cause damage. As a result, using a dry cloth to clean a monitor is the simplest method.

However, because tap water contains minerals and other substances that can harm the screen or leave streaks on it, it’s best to use filtered or distilled water instead. If the water becomes extremely stubborn, apply a pinch of white vinegar.

The differences between a computer monitor and how it should be cleaned do not have to be stark. If you’re a regular user of the monitor, you’ll be able to keep it clean on a regular basis. If the monitor is not turned on, it is possible to cause an electrical shock. Furthermore, a black screen makes it easier to see dust and scratches. Before you can clean your laptop or monitor, make sure that it is completely turned off. Meg MacDonald’s poem, The Spruce Smudges should be removed. A non-glass-coated screen (LED, LCD) can only be touched with a small amount of force. Wipe only the areas that have been stained with gentle pressure.

A computer monitor can be easily contaminated with fingerprints, dust, and dirt. To begin, clean it with a microfiber cloth that has been thoroughly wiped down. If you need to remove fingerprints and smudges, use 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cloth or a pre-moistened alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipe, both of which are excellent options for non-porous surfaces. If your screen needs something strong, you can combine 1 cup distilled water and 4 cup white vinegar in a spray bottle, but distilled water is the best and safest cleaner. If you need to clean your computer monitor, never use bleach.